tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77883974977525398182024-02-08T09:55:03.774-08:00His Words thru meAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-33644225391274119662013-01-20T14:49:00.001-08:002013-01-20T14:52:19.285-08:00PrayersI have slacked off lately on my blog because we are finishing up the house in Rocky Mount. We are very satisfied with the results so far and are really trying to get everything done before my arm surgery 2-7-13. We have installed the dishwasher and scheduled the heat pump installation. <strong>That, as per usual, leaves us a few little things to be done. </strong>I am sincerely praying that this Wednesday and Thursday will finish us off. We still have some caulking to do, touch up painting to do, door handles and brackets to replace, a gazebo to be cleaned off and electicity to be reworked, pine straw to be blown off the roof, skylights to be cleaned, and general clean-up to do. Seems like so little, but it grows daily. We have talked with the real estate agent and she tells us to pull the wall paper and repaint the master bedroom, but we are hesitant. It may be too male, but the pink bedroom either suggests a girl or repainting also. Let's see if prospective buyers are as excited about the place as we were when we thought it was for Carl. We are simply trusting the Lord for the right ideas for the sale or some good use. I'll let you know how well this goes!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-17532441033344879482012-12-28T05:46:00.000-08:002012-12-28T05:46:50.918-08:00Prayer answersWednesday was another simple answer to prayer that gave me a huge lift. I prayed simply that my son would want to go back down to Rocky Mount to work on the house we are flipping. We have been working on the house for five months and as we get closer to finishing, we get distracted so easily. Finally, at 10:00 or so Wedenesday night, he called and said that he and my granddaughter would love to go down to RM Thursday and work. The simple little answers to prayer that God gives us each day motivates us to continue down the path to obedience. We might question, but He will answer and provide if we simply trust. <br />
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Thursday was a little dumber on my part, but if we don't reach out, we will always fall short. I asked, simply, that all we did would be successful and work out safely and well. We had a lot of small stuff to get done, and I always forget the limitations that time puts on us.We drove the 90 minutes to RM but it took us115 minutes, so we were off our schedule before we ever got there. Somehow, we sanded the skim coating on the skylight and ceiling in the bathroom, painted 2 coats of Kilz and one coat of ceiling paint. We also painted the doors on the sun room closet, installed the racks and shelves, and touched up scuffs we had made in the previously painted walls. We cleaned up the dryer filter and painted the walls again ( boy, we must have rushed through that the first time), and put a temporary fix on the drain. We (notice how I take credit for all work done) took down the track in the smaller bedroom so we could re-install the folding doors, painted this closet, and tried to install the clothes rack (once again, however, we had not planned for a sloped closet wall). Brittany and her dad painted wood work and identified new places for me to caulk. One of my neighbors had cut 4" limbs off a couple of my pine trees and laid them neatly in my yard; so, I had no choice but to break off the many limbs and put them in the Yard Waste can for Friday pickup (laborious tasks Rose trusts me to do). The four of us stopped on the way home and had Bojangles chicken for dinner, and pleasant conversation and plans for the next time. My shoulder, which I did not mention to the Lord, did not bother me somehow until I lay down Thursday night; sometimes we just don't even see how He helps us without our asking. I am more than pleased with what we got done and can only praise the Lord for minimizing my mistakes and helping us all to stay out of Rose's way as we worked!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-80330393753129902322012-12-26T07:23:00.001-08:002012-12-26T07:23:53.212-08:00Prayer answersI am going to remind myself of each day's most rewarding prayer answer. In this way I hope to make us all look closer at the little things God does for us every day in answer to our simplest prayers. On Monday my son got a warning ticket for late car inspection and registration; he was waiting until he got his car tax money available. He sent us a quick note and Rose and I said a quick prayer for him. Tuesday he went for his inspection and the check engine light had gone off and he only needed to replace a couple of bulbs in lights to pass. Do you really think we are worried about his registration? Not hardly. God has proven our trust again, and shown us how He cares about our little worries.<br />
Tuesday, we prayed for a special time with our family at dinner. We had an estranged son come and have dinner with us, our granddaughter came with a special attitude, and our daughter-in-law joined us for dinner the first time in over a year. We were intensely proud and praised God for loving family and helping us appreciate Him and them more and more.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-26427692224907247272012-12-25T07:24:00.001-08:002012-12-25T07:24:27.026-08:00Christmas 2012Wow, what a difference a year can make. My replacement knee is fully effective now and I don't have the recurring pain, but I am still a little uneasy and unbalanced in my walk (notice that I identified exactly where I perceive myself as unbalanced). My son has purchased a foreclosed house 90 miles away and his favorite house flippers (cheap old Rose and I) are doing our best to get the house in order for him. It takes a lot of time, more preparation, and constant review and update. We have spent more time on his house this year than we have with him over the past 9 years (his wife thinks he should spend time with her). We have gotten more involved with the church lately after a period of feeling hurt and left out. I have published 5 e-books this year and just self-published and printed my first of this year by traditional publication. I enjoy this new career even though I don't ever cover my costs; Rose thinks it is some self punishment thing. Cece and her dad Randy have gotten so involved at church this year and we took on a ministry at Carver Living that has given us plenty of opportunities to serve. Speaking of which, my poor guitar playing and singing has spiraled (I still can't play nor sing, but I thoroughly enjoy banging.) My cousin Betty from Texas came and spent a week here; she and Craig always brighten our day. My mom is living with my cousin Eddie and his wife now; his home was more suited to an invalid and Mom continues to enjoy her time while her health just lies dormant. We don't know what to do for her except to try and give her some reason and desire to thrive. Life goes on and we all have our individual problems, but 2012 has opened new chances to serve for my family and I hope we and you will take advantage of all our chances to serve Him. Talk soon!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-44786826140110349922012-12-24T12:14:00.002-08:002012-12-24T12:14:26.649-08:002013 Daily Devotions for the Good LifeI have published my new devotional on Smashwords; it is available for purchase at my author page on Smashwords: <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Mikerosie458">http://www.Smashwords.com/profile/view/Mikerosie458</a>. If you are interested in a printed version, I should have them in my hand the first week of January, but I could not get them printed in time. The price for e-book is $4.99 and the hard copy is $20. Contact me @ <a href="mailto:Mikerosie458@yahoo.com">Mikerosie458@yahoo.com</a> for availability.This book is an outgrowth from an addiction counseling program in Creedmoor, NC begun in 2009 by may pastor Ernest Ferrell. These are daily studies from Proverbs to help any Christian develope a more perfect walk with Jesus. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-66571331965337978402012-08-27T04:29:00.001-07:002012-08-27T04:29:02.861-07:00Stem the release of anger with positive thoughts.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
August 27, 2012</div>
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Proverbs 27 4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wrath is cruel and anger is outrageous: but who is able to stand before envy?”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Wrath is an end to a personality flaw which results in cruelty. The wrathful person seethes in his feelings until it must be released in the form of mistreating an animal or person. Anger is a responsive state of mind to some idea of being mistreated by another. Generally, it is spontaneous and quickly forgotten—unless it is allowed to manifest itself as wrath.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Both anger and wrath can be halted in their place by taking a count of ten and considering what the results and ramification of this action may be. A soft prayer or comforting thought while counting slowly will usually stop the highly volatile response.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Envy, however, is more like a tick in the back of your leg. You can’t really feel anything happening until the tick has engorged himself with your blood and maybe even infect your leg. Envy is not perceived as a flaw; everyone looks at envy as being justified. We may say that we dislike the respect this person gets so we will underhandedly try to ignore their suggestions and plans and undermine their support. Envy eats away at one’s insides until he can think of nothing else but getting even with the person envied.</div>
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Lord, we love You today and seek Your comfort to release feelings of anger that could easily turn wrathful. Help us, Father, to respond properly to things that bother us. Especially, in the cases where we are envious of other’s success, Lord, show us the positive sides and make us respond Your ideas. For Your service, we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-26416634054768795302012-08-26T03:44:00.002-07:002012-08-26T03:44:15.823-07:00Teach us to comfort, motivate, and heal broken spirits for You.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
August 26,2012</div>
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Proverbs 26:4.5<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These verses speak to the same thought but add a twist. We have often been told not to respond in kind to an angry person or one who speaks out of envy, malice, jealousy, or misplaced passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We, as Christians, should simply respond in a gentle tone with a soft answer. If the person is simply upset, this will calm him down until the two of you can discuss the real underlying problem.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sometimes, however, the angry speaker may be blaspheming God or making fun of your beliefs. If you do not respond at all or softly, it does not correct the person’s talk nor his thinking. Before you respond you must still consider closely what you will say and pray for His guidance. Then you must speak up—sometimes in the same tone of voice as the attacker—and stand up for what you believe.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Apologetics is the defense of the Christian faith per 1 Peter 3:15. This school of thought teaches that Christians must be able spiritually and verbally to defend God’s Word against not only the erroneous teachings but even against the immorality of the world.</div>
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Lord, we love You today and know that the world often speaks incorrectly against You and our faith. Strengthen us, Father, to stand up and defend our faith against false teachers and society evils. Teach us how to comfort, motivate, and heal broken spirits for Your indwelling. For Your service we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-38238024491109967272012-08-25T06:33:00.002-07:002012-08-25T06:33:55.545-07:00Need forgiveness, forgive; need encouragement, encourage!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
August 25, 2012</div>
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Proverbs 25:3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The heaven for height and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>As my pastor says: if you are a born again Christian, your sins are as forgotten as the deepest part of the ocean—they will never be seen nor heard of again--totally obliterated. The hearts of even kings who have been given preemption over the economies of the world can neither explain nor understand this. How can a sin be forgiven and totally forgotten?</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Apart from the sacrifice of Jesus, this sin would stand as a beacon forever. But Jesus knew that they would only serve to show us how weak, frail, contemptuous, and evil we are. Love is not like that—forgiveness will reign supreme if a man is saved.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Are you forgiven? Is your sin forgotten? Do you actively seek the ones who have wronged you just to forgive them? Should you not?</div>
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Lord, we love you today and seek Your forgiveness for our daily failings. Help us too, Lord, to look for ones needing forgiveness and encouragement. Help us be witnesses of encouragement and hope. For Your service we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-27410967176524622712012-08-24T04:02:00.002-07:002012-08-24T04:02:19.310-07:00Strength is in teamwork!<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-bottom-alt: 0in; mso-padding-top-alt: 0in; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Proverbs 24:5,6<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A wise man is strong, yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make war: and in multitude of counselors there is safety.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Strength is in knowledge and teamwork. When parties share the same goal (e.g. sharing Christ) a multitude of good strategies, plans, and efforts can be coordinated toward that goal. By working together the load is shared and the blessings are split among all participants. The war against evil can be shared and the protection of one another is easier. Understanding of the goal is better understood if made by a team rather than one person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Lord, we love You today and want to pursue Your goals as a team. Let us, Father, look at Romans 12 and see how to incorporate our gifts into the team goal of sharing Jesus with the neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In His service we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-71904697083242839682012-08-22T22:58:00.002-07:002012-08-22T22:58:36.055-07:00Keep oneself away from extreme goals or riches in this life.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.1in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Proverbs 23:4,5 “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We must provide for our families and try to live comfortably. That is normal and reasonable but to seek more and more riches simply makes us a slave to that pursuit. The things of this present world are a sham, a show, and a shadow. Riches, also, are very uncertain, fickle things that make wings for themselves to fly away—and there is nothing we can do to bring them back. Pursuit of riches rather than essential comfort brings grief and strife to the seeker.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Lord, we love You today and seek only what is available from You for a comfortable, safe life. Help us, Father, not to choose extreme goals or riches in life. Allow us to be like Paul—satisfied in what ever situation we are. Let us see and respond to prove our faith in our loving savior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-25942413872058500062012-08-22T05:40:00.001-07:002012-08-22T05:40:11.116-07:00This world is not my home; I'm just a-passing through<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.1in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Proverbs 22:4<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“By humility and fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The conditioned response psychologist Maslov taught that self-esteem is a critical human need. As long as one feels he is the best at what he does, says, thinks, or believes it follows that the person is in control of his own destiny. Perhaps a lot of this is true at it relates to the human world. Proverbs 23:7 tells us that what we think makes us what we are. Christians, however, have a much higher calling than this earth. As the song goes, “This world is not my home; I’m just a passing through.” As Christians we have goals way beyond this stepping stone, training life on earth. Humility and Jesus-esteem are our guides to life here, now, and in the everlasting future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Lord, we love You today and know that our future everlasting life depends on what we know that You are. Be our esteemed leader until we are together for all time and help us to show our faith in the results of humility and Jesus esteem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In His service we live. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-58250646082578166172012-08-21T05:59:00.002-07:002012-08-21T05:59:03.633-07:00Show your honesty so others will want what you have--spiritually!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.1in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Proverbs 21:3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems that 90% of the time I go to a grocery store or a fast food chain, I am either over or under charged or given incorrect change. I always question and return accidental errors, but I typically do not ask for corrected change if the error was to my disadvantage. I do, however, try to advise them so they can be more careful in the future. Many times I wonder if the error was intentional but I never say that. It is time consuming but it is the Christian thing to do. We should make sure that the service personnel realize that as Christians we do not take advantage of errors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Lord, we love You today and realize that we should repay any monetary errors made in our favor and thereby make a positive statement for You. Let us deal properly with people so that our witness makes them want to be honest like You. We know that taking advantage of any ill gotten gain is robbery. In His service we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-2034551286714167152012-08-20T03:50:00.002-07:002012-08-20T03:50:46.389-07:00Let us leave it to You!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.1in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Proverbs 20:3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Man always is quick to defend himself from remarks that challenge his honor, good taste, or Christian nature. When false rumors are started, we are quick to stand up for ourselves. When our suggestions or recommendations are not met with whole-hearted acceptance, we tend to explain our position and question any other. Wisdom, as shown in Proverbs, often should just state the position and let the speaker’s reputation stand up for itself. If one meddles and tries to convince others, it often leads to resentment and hard feelings. Allow the Lord to work in hearts; present your case and leave it alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Lord, we love You today and choose not to be argumentative. Jesus stood up and argued in the temple for His beliefs; He will stand up and defend ours before unbelievers—often at times we will never know about. Help us, Father, to do our part and allow You to do Yours through the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">In His service we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-55262533919789599692012-08-19T06:53:00.002-07:002012-08-19T06:53:59.812-07:00Don't let service go lacking; Focus on Him.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
August 19, 2012</div>
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Proverbs 19:3: “The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart frettish against God.”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have seen so many basketball games where the much stronger team takes off from the gate and amasses a 10-20 points lead. They are so proud of their accomplishment that they become lax and then the see-saw battle swings back and forth until the strong team loses focus and throws the game away.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Very seldom do you see these guys praise the team that kept their focus and won.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Typically they blame the loss on the referees or even luck or God not being on their side.</div>
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<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do the same foolish way with our own lives. When we are on top we brag and strut; but, when things turn against us we gloat, complain, and blame the Lord. This is the time of testing the Lord has sent to mature us—don’t waste the chance—Praise the Lord</div>
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Lord, we love you today and know that our Bible Study, visitation, and Christian service sometimes go lacking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Help us to focus at these times on Your steady methods of teaching. Help us to face problems Biblically and not on our own strength. For Your service we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-90487395508631420232012-08-18T03:57:00.002-07:002012-08-18T03:57:20.309-07:00Don't always believe the actor, just the action.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.1in 0pt;">
Proverbs 18:3 “When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.”</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tears are the simplest test of a convicted heart; a changed life is the result of those honest tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wicked, manipulative people also recognize the appearance of tears to a confessor and may cry crocodile tears to work themselves into a fellowship. This shows the true contempt for the Christian faith, but God has given us a more perfect way to determine conviction. If one is truly convicted, his life begins to show change and this change fills all actions, deeds, and words of the believer. Don’t be confused by the show to determine the changes.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Lord, we love You today and see the results in our churches of changed lives. Help us to understand the effects. Show us how to encourage, enrich, and enlist these lives to Your service. For Him we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-70767877917694668992012-08-17T04:48:00.003-07:002012-08-17T04:48:25.474-07:00Why not have a "Good Cry" when hurt and needy?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0.1in 0pt;">
Proverbs17:3 “The fining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold; but the Lord trieth the hearts.”<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The refining pot burns off the few impurities of silver and the furnace burns the dross from higher volumes of gold, but only God can refine the heart—only He knows the bad to be removed and the strength added by pressure. I have watched cans being crushed and incinerated to remove the negative. Only a free flowing molten stream remains until dried and molded. This process will work on a heart. Only God creates tears of shame, pride, joy, sadness, guilt, or loss that purifies the heart. I guess that is the reason that sometimes only a “good cry” can draw us near to Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">We love You, Lord, and understand why our hearts have to repeatedly be tested and tried. Help us, Father, to understand Your unchanging will for our individual lives and team efforts. In His service we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-24623598784113054062012-08-16T04:52:00.002-07:002012-08-16T04:52:37.339-07:00Proud, positive, and proactive in all we say and do.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
August 16, 2012</div>
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Proverbs16:3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Commit thy words unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I have heard so many people say things like they weren’t called to preach, speak, nor teach. These same people feel that they have been overlooked by their boss, spouse, pastor, or parents. We all have different jobs, opportunities, chances or just times when we can excel. This verse speaks of work—what it really says is –Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability as if the Lord were right beside you. If we do that, our thoughts will be built up by Him; we will be proud of the work we have done; we will be positive of the results of our work; we will not tire of doing more for Him or taking more responsibilities for Him.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These thought are success thoughts: if you are proud, positive, and proactive for Jesus. The resulting thoughts will continue building and encouraging in your work for Him.</div>
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Lord, we love you today and admit how weak we are when we don’t keep our eyes on You. Help us, Lord, to work to our best ability to bring glory to You. Let our co-workers see You in all we do. Make us proud, positive, and proactive in all we do with You. For Your service we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-6138402825003515002012-08-15T05:14:00.001-07:002012-08-15T05:14:32.271-07:00Is He speaking to His Father for you?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
August 15, 2012</div>
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Proverbs 15:3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The eyes of the Lord are in every place: beholding the evil and the good.”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When I was an adolescent in Sunday School our teacher would always ell us that Jesus was watching and listening to everything we said or did. Even Santa Claus supposedly knows if we’ve been bad or good. Sometimes you may see a patrol car sitting by a straight stretch of highway, but since we don’t know if an officer is in the car or not, we slow down to be safe.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I read a book when I was in the fifth grade that told of a pastor challenging the church body to act as if Jesus was beside them watching how they acted in their day to day lives. They made a tremendous change in the congregation work and even personal life<u>. In His Steps</u> has always been a model for me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the ‘90’s the same type challenge hit on teens and young Christians—WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) Many young lives were saved and dedicated to His work.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Solomon uses the same warning in this verse—Are you being more careful? Jesus is beside the father asking His forgiveness for the saved that belong to Him—Is Jesus speaking for you?</div>
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Lord, we love You today and realize You know our every thought, word, or deed. Help us Lord to stay true to You and to ask You to live in our hearts forever. For Your service we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-28986701589589129982012-08-14T04:06:00.004-07:002012-08-14T04:06:55.052-07:00More difficult to be humble than proud.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
August 14, 2012</div>
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Proverbs 14:3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I see so often in a garden how a bird or squirrel drops a sunflower seed to the ground and before long a small sprout will emerge. If you choose not to pluck this root out of the ground at that time, it will grow to be a 6’ tall rod that holds another sunflower that squirrels can once again climb to get new sunflower seeds to eat. God has created this world so that one small seed can grow into an abundant supply of food/beauty.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We can see this also in ourselves; a seed of pride can easily be planted in our hearts by Satan If this pride is not plucked from the heart and credit given back to God, we can grow a rod of pride which will overcome all else in our heart.</div>
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Lord, we love You today and acknowledge how easily we can get off track. If we don’t speak words of encouragement to one anther, or we try to take all the credit for good things in our lives, we continue to fertilize this pride in us until it takes over our being. Lord, help us to lift others up, lift You up, and humble ourselves. For Your service we live. Amen.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-33334204619035983302012-08-13T05:57:00.001-07:002012-08-13T05:57:10.500-07:00Make us thoughtful servants.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
August 13, 2012</div>
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Proverbs 13 3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth is life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The old saying goes, “Measure twice and cut once.” Many times a careless measurement has been caught and a big waste of material and time eliminated by simply eliminated by simply measuring a second time. By the same token, a lot of embarrassment and guilt can be stopped by simply thinking before one speaks. For many of us it is “open mouth, insert foot.”</div>
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Lord, we love You today and seek to be good witnesses of Christian faith. Help us, Father, to carefully and scripturally think through any negative thoughts to our responding to a situation. Many words can not be taken back or opportunities to minister regained if we don’t think first. Make us thoughtful servants. In His service we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-59470591437373626862012-08-12T04:09:00.002-07:002012-08-12T04:09:29.013-07:00No grudges; just forgiveness.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
August 12, 2012</div>
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Proverbs 12:3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A man shall not be established by wickedness: the soul of the righteous shall not be moved.’</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I am not a supporter of social religion; I am not a humanist. Man has created a new religion of self-pride and pushes it on Christians as the only true way Christ would want things done.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This verse however makes me stand up for integration. I truly believe that God loves us all equally—regardless of race, gender, religion, or character. His son died for ALL to have availability to Him.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Misunderstanding, over the years, has caused many groups to segregate themselves from ones who look, act, dress, or worship differently. Of times the segregated groups truly believe in the same triune God, but with miniscule differences.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I applaud the way that most Christians have banded together that worship Jesus. I applaud the fact that true Christians stand up for their faith and will not be moved. Character remains the true choice.</div>
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Lord, we love you today and take responsibility for the years of oppression and repression. As long as we confess this, Lord, You are faithful to forgive and we can move on. Help us, Lord, not to hold grudges and be unforgiving. Help us, Lord, to freely share the life altering “Good News” You have given us. For Your service, we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-17035379906906513532012-08-11T04:02:00.002-07:002012-08-11T04:02:42.647-07:00To be examples of His love, we must first be honest.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
August 11, 2012</div>
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Proverbs 11:3”The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness shall destroy them.”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This verse gives us an understanding of honesty. Very simply, the honest man has fixed principles and certain rules of conduct; he is sincere and does not change his goals as the wind blows. His primary goal is to keep his mind foremost on Jesus and that keeps his actions inline with his goals. </div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The dishonesty of a man will be his own ruin., His lies will catch up with him, his half-truths will be exposed, his manipulating character will be obvious and he will ultimately be destroyed.</div>
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Lord, we love you today and seek only Your will in our lives. It is difficult to remain honest; sometimes we crush other’s dreams, hurt people unintentionally, or exalt ourselves in error. Help us be examples of Your love to all we meet. For Your service we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-47609108497410286192012-08-10T05:07:00.001-07:002012-08-10T05:07:17.932-07:00Use what we have to challenge/encourage each other.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
August 10, 2012</div>
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Proverbs 10 3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but He casteth away the substance of the wicked.”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>We have a long row to hoe and we often lose that fact. We pray for riches to give to the church or the needy. We complain about the wealth accumulated by many and wonder “How fair is this?” We may not get the riches we ask for because our gift may not be mercies. If we don’t have the gift of mercy and give what we can from what we have now, how can we know that we would give fairly from our riches?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness, God knows what would happen.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some people accumulate due to stealing and cheating, but many others accumulate because of planning, preparation, hard work, and dedication. It is unfair of us as Christians to ask from God what He does not feel we would use properly. It is just as unfair for us to question God’s distribution of wealth and talents.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>What really counts is the final call—Have you been found worthy of the wealth and talents you have? Have you exercised them for His glory? Your real victory or loss depends on that!</div>
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Lord, we love You today and want to share both our wealth and our talents properly. Help us, Lord, to effectively use what we have and to challenge and encourage each other to meet their potential. Lead us to Your throne in worship and praise. In His service we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-51067737077195375912012-08-09T04:57:00.002-07:002012-08-09T04:57:50.665-07:00Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
August 9, 2012</div>
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Proverbs 9:6<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Who are the foolish? Obviously, they are not believers. Since wisdom is to be sought, it cannot be with the foolish. In order to be born again Christians who are seeking the available understanding, we must put off the old man and anything to do with this old man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Negative thinking, poor attitude, demeaning habits, and friends that exhibit these must be totally shunned! A basket of good apples can not lie around a rotten apple, because all will be ruined.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All the characteristics of the foolish person must not only be eliminated, but new, fresh Christian characteristics must be learned and instilled. We must present ourselves as sacrifices, die to the old and, accept new training—which cannot be done while we associate with the old crowd</div>
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Lord, we love You today and realize that it is difficult to give up the ways of |Satan; but, if we replace the desires from Satan with the promises of You, we can succeed. Grant us wisdom to understand and courage to stand up for You and against the ways of the world. For Your service we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7788397497752539818.post-30596535073493635952012-08-08T04:46:00.002-07:002012-08-08T04:46:03.476-07:00No excuse. Turn your thoughts to Him.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
August 8, 2012</div>
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Proverbs 8:4-5<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Unto you O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of man. O ye simple, understand wisdom: and ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.”</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Solomon is very specific about Wisdom. He does not speak to the angels; they don’t need it. The many animals of the world can not use it. Only man can build his knowledge into wisdom. Understanding is only for the ones who can be saved! The naïve or simple can understand wisdom by reading the Word and applying it to their own situations.</div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Even the fools who have no desire for God or His wisdom have access through feelings. These feelings that often mislead us can also turn us to God by applying the lessons gleaned from our conscience. When we look at nature we can see God; when we look at heartache we can often see God as the only escape from ourselves.</div>
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Lord, we love You today and pray that all men have open access to You. Regardless of men’s thoughts our minds can be turned to You. Lead us, Lord, to discover and share Your ways always. For Your service we live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amen.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05060754459281374726noreply@blogger.com0